Windmill



' WINDMILL Filed July 16, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 MHIII INVENTOR. Z? sszn' Zz' y;

ATTORNEYS.

May 6, 1930. L. s. STRIPLINC;

WINDMILL Filed July 16. 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet I N V EN TOR.

A TTORNEY I May 6, 1930. L. S.'STRIPLING ,WINDMILL Filed July 16, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVEN TOR. Siiw' Z I May 6, 1930. L. s. STRIPLING WINDMILL Filed July 16, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I N VEN TOR.

Patented May 6, 1930 PATENT OFFICE LUKE S. STRIPLING, F AMARILLO, TEXAS WINDMILL Application filed July 16,

This invention relates to windmills and has special reference to the type of windmill having feathering vanes which revolve about a vertical axis to drive a vertical shaft, the

vanes feathering as they move against the wind and spreading or taking active position as they move with the wind.

One important object of the invention is to improve the general construction of devices of this character.

A second important object of the inven.

tion is to provide, in a mill of this character, an improved arrangement of feathering vane.

A third important object of the invention is to provide, in a mill of this character, acombination of means whereby the ordinary feathering movement of the vanes is limited to a desired degree but in which the feather- ?9 ing movement may be supplemented at will to move the vanes from normal feathering position to a position nearer to or quite in a horizontal plane.

m A fourth important object of the invention is to provide an improved arrangement of arms and supports therefor for such a windmill. With the above and other objects in View as will be hereinafter apparent, the inven- 39 tion consists in general of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawings like characters of reference indicate like parts in the several views, and:

Figure 1 is a plan view, somewhat diagrammatic, showing a windmill constructed in accordance with this invention and having the upper part cut off.

Figure 2 is a detail section of such a mill through the line 22 of Figure 1, the arfl rangement showing one vane only in order 43 to avoid confusion of the parts.

Figure 3 is a rear elevation of the vane arrangement of this windmill.

Figure A is a plan view of such vane arrangement. Figure 5 is an end view of one of the arms 1928. Serial No. 293,265.

showing the vane applied thereto and disclosing the vane in its operative or spread position.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 but disclosing the vane in a normally feathered position.

Figure 7 is a partial elevation of the windmill tower and showing the lower vane arm supports and the supporting track therefor.

Figure 8 is a detail section taken transversely through one of the middle vane arms nd showing the outer track support there- Figure 9 is a detail diagrammatic view showing the means whereby the vanes may be held in feathered position.

Figure 10 is a section on the line 10-10 of Figure 5.

Figure 11 is a bottom plan view of one of the spring hinges used herewith.

In the present embodiment of the invention there is provided a tower 10 having a cap 11 whereon rests an anti-friction thrust bearing 12. On this bearing rests a center plate 13 and from this center plate there extends downwardly and outwardly an upper bracket arm 14 and a lower bracket arm 15 which converge and are united by a bolt 16, the upper bracket arm maintaining its direction beyond this point and terminating in an outwardly bent foot 17. The lower bracket arm 15, from the point 16, extends vertically downward as at 18. Secured beneath each of the feet 17 is a vane arm 19 to the underside of which is secured an angle bracket 20 eX- tending in parallel spaced relation to the end 18 at one end. A shaft 21 extends between the end 18 and the vertical member of the bracket 20 and on this shaft is mounted a flanged wheel 22 which runs on a circular track 23 supported by cross bars 24 attached to the tower 10. Extending horizontally outward from the plate 13 is a series of vane arms 25 which-are termed the middle vane arms and each of these arms is displaced 9 their inner ends connected to a post or strut 28. Depending from each arm is a vertical brace 29 having a forked low .r end 30 wherein is mounted a flange wheel 31 running on an outer track 32 supported by brackets 33 from the tower. The post 29 is connected to the ends of the cross member 26 by diagonal braces 34: and across this post above the fork extends a transverse member 35 which is connected to the ends of the member 26 by vertical ties 36. Diagonal braces 37 connect the ends of the member 35 to the post or strut just above the fork 30.

A vertical shaft 38 is supported in suitable hearings in the tower and ha the plate 13 keyed thereto. This shaft extends above the plate 13 and at its upper end carries a plate 39 from which extencs outwardly and downwardly brackets 40 terminating in horizontal feet 41. From the plate 13 brackets l2 extend upwardly and outwardly and terminate in horizontal feet 43 so that vane arms 4% may be carried by each pair of brackets.

These last vane arms are angularly disposer at thirty degrees from the vane arms 25 so that in plan there are twelve vane mans there being four upper. four intermediate or middle, and four lower vane arms, the different sets of which are angularly displaced to provide equal angles between the arms when seen in plan. The arms ll carrv the transverse members 45 which are simiiarl arranged to the transverse members 26 am in like manner the arms 19 carry transvers members 46, the various transverse member being connected by vertical ties 47.

Each of the vane arms has adjacent its outer end a pair of spring hinges one leaf 48 of each of which is fixed firmly beneath the respective arm while the other leaf 49 projects backwardly therefrom in a normal horizontal position but can be forced downwardly against the action of the spring 50. Fixed to this rearwardly projecting leaf is an arcuate bracket 51 which projects upwardly 1111i forwardly over the arm 25. These brackets 51 will be referred to in the claims as the vane brackets. In front of each arm 25 is a vane consisting of a flat plate 52 having cross bars 53 at its upaer and lower ed gcs and supported on these cross bars are channel braces 54 having toward their upper ends a series of rearwardly projecting cars 55 pr vided with alined openings 56 so that a pivot pin 57 may be passed through any pair of these ears and through the arms of a U shaped bracket 58 sliding on the channel member. This pivot pin also passes through the upner and forward end of the rcspec' ve bracket 51. By this means the vane is pivoted at aselccted point to the bracket 51 and can swing from the vertical position shown in Figure 5 toward the horizontal position shown in Figure 5. the extent to which this swinging movement toward i are horizontal possible being limited by chains 59 fixed to the lower edge of the vane and passing through eye plates 60 carried by the vane arm. These chains are provided on their ends with hooks 61 so that the effective lengths of the chains, and consequently the degree of tilt of the vanes may be regulated. Extending upwardly and rearwardly from each leaf 49 is a bracket 62 having openings 63 spaced therealong so that one end of a spring 64 may be hooked in a. respective opening (33, the other end being hooked in a bracket 65 fixed to the vane arm. By changing the connection of the spring 64 from one opening 63 to another the tension on the spring may be regulated and it is to be observed that the spring assists the spring 50 in holding the plate 49 flat or horizontal. Frojecting rearwardly from the vane 52 is an arm 65 to which is connected one end of a cord 66 the other end of the cord being connected to the corresponding arm 65 of a second vane so that a weight 67 may be hooked on the cord and pull the vanes to inactive position. Obviously if the weight be sufficient the vanes will not only be pulled to the position shown in Figure 6 but the leaf 4290f the spring hinge will be tilted downwardly and the vanes, the brackets 51, and the brackets (32 will all be tilted downwardly so that the vanes may be brought to a truly horizontal position. Thus under norina running conditions the vanes will be held inclined as in Figure (3 in their inactive position so that when the wind strikes the front face of the vane it will quickly swing to active position shown in Figure 5, being arrested by a spring 68 carried by the vane arm and engaging a buffer 69 on the lower part of the respective vane.

A bracket 70 is fixed on each vane arm and pivoted to this bracket is a l-J-shaped guide loop 71 having spaced openings 2 therein which may be selectively broug registry with openings 7 3 in the respective bracket 51 so that a bolt, not shown, can 1 9 passed through the registering openings and hold the parts in fixed position.

On the shaft 38 is fixed a bevel gear 7 lv meshes with a bevel gear 7 nxcd on th. of a belt pulley or drum 76 by means o t which power may be transmitted or hoisting may be done. Also on the shaft 213 is a second bevel gear 7 which meshes with a bevel gear fixed on a shaft 78 which may lead to a pump jack or any other desired apparatus.

Obviously, while on Ly three sets of van-es and two tracks are here shown as many more tracks and vanes or sets of vanes as are found desirable in practice may he 1 There has thus been provided s ellicicnt device of the kind descri the purpose specified.

It is obvious that minor cha made in the form and construr, a invention without departing from the an.

rial spirit thereof. It is not, therefore, desired to confine the invention to the exact form herein shown and described, but it is desired to include all such as properly come within the scope claimed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, is:

1. In a windmill of the class described, a vane arm, vane brackets pivoted on said arm, springs holding said brackets in normal vane supporting positions, a vane pivoted on said brackets to swing between vertical active position and inclined inactive position, means for limiting the inclination of the vane in inactive position, and means to move the brackets against the action of the springs and thereby move the vane from said inactive to substantally horizontal position.

2. In a windmill of the class described, a'

vane arm, vane brackets pivoted on said arm, springs holding said brackets in normal vane supporting positions, a vane pivoted on said brackets to swing between vertical active position and inclined inactive position, means for limiting the inclination of the vane in inactive position and including elements adapted for varying the length of said means and thereby varying said inclination of the vane, and means to move the brackets against the action of the springs and thereby move the vane from said inactive to substantially horizontal position.

3. In a windmill of the class described, a vane arm, spring hinges each having a leaf fixed to said arm, vane brackets each having one end fixed to the remaining leaf of a respective spring hinge, a vane pivoted to said brackets and movable between vertical active position and inclined inactive position, chains connecting the lower part of said vane and said arm to restrict upward movement of said lower part, and means to tilt the vane and brackets against the action of said spring hinges from said inactive to substantially horizontal position.

4. In a windmill of the class described, a vane arm, spring hinges eachhaving a leaf fixed to said arm, vane brackets each having one end fixed to the remaining leaf of a respective spring hinge, a vane pivoted to said brackets and movable between vertical active position and inclined inactive position, chains connecting the lower part of said vane and said arm to restrict upward movement of said lower part, and means to tilt the vane and brackets against the action of said spring hinges from said inactive to snbtantially horizontal position, said tilting means acting primarily to tilt the vane'on the brackets and then to tilt the vane and brackets together.

5. In' a windmill of the class described, a vane arm, spring hinges each having a leaf fixed to said arm, vane brackets each having one end fixed to the remaining leaf of a rebrackets and movable between vertical active position and inclined inactive position, chains connecting the lower part of said vane and said arm to restrict upward movement of said lower part, said chains being arranged for adjustment of their effective length whereby to adjust the inclination of the vane in inactive position, and means to tilt the vane and brackets against the action of said spring hinges from said inactive to substantially horizontal position.

6. In a windmill of the class described, a vane arm, spring hinges each having a leaf fixed to said arm, vane brackets each having one end fixed to the remaining leaf of a respective spring hinge, a vane pivoted to said brackets and movable between vertical active position and inclined inactive position, chains connecting the lower part of said vane and said arm to restrict upward movement of said lower part, said chains being arranged for adjustment of their effective length whereby to adjust the inclination of the vane in inactive position, and means to tilt the vane and brackets against the action of said spring hinges from said inactive to substantially horizontal position, said tilting means acting primarily to tilt the vane on the brackets and then to tilt the vans and brackets together.

movement of said lower part, means to tilt the vane and brackets against the action of said spring hinges from said inactive to substantially horizontal position, spring arms projecting from the movable leaves of said springs, and springs each having one end connectible to one of the spring arms at a selected point thereof and having its other end connected to the vane arm and arranged to reinforce the action of said spring hinge.

8. In a windmill of the class described, a vane arm, spring hinges each having a leaf fixed to said arm, vane brackets each having one end fixed to the remaining leaf of a respective spring hinge, a vane pivoted to said brackets and movable between vertical active position and inclined inactive position, chains connecting the lower part of said vane and said arm to restrict upward movement of said lower part, means to tilt the vane and brackets against the action of said spring hinges from said inactive to substantially horizontal position, said tilting means acting primarily to tilt the vane on the brackets and then to tilt the vane and brackets together,

spring arms projecting from the movable leaves of said springs, and springs each having one end connectible to one of the spring arms at a selected point thereof and having its other end connected to th vane arm and arranged to reinforce the action of said spring hinge.

9. In a windmill of the class described, a vane arm, spring hinges each having a leaf fixed to said arm, vane brackets each having one end fixed to the remaining leaf of a respective spring hinge, a vane pivoted to s id brackets and movable between vertical active position and inclined inactive position, chains connecting the lower part of said vane and said arm to restrict upward movement of said lower part, said chains being arranged for adjustment of their effective length whereby to adjust the inclination of the vane in inactive position, means to tilt the vane and brackets against the action of said spring hinges from said inactive to substantially horizontal position, spring arms projecting from the movable leaves of said springs, and springs each having one end connectible to one of the spring arms at a selected point thereof and having its other end connected to the vane arm and arranged to reinforce the action of said spring hinge.

10. In a windmill of the class described, a vane arm, spring iinges each having a leaf fixed to said arm, vane brackets each having one end fixed to the remaining leaf of a respective spring hinge, a vane pivoted to said brackets and movable between vertical active position and inclined inactive position, chains connecting the lower part of said vane and said arm to restrict upward movement of said lower part, said chains being arranged for adjustment of their effective length whereby to adjust the inclination of the vane in inactive position, means to tilt the vane and brackets against the action of said spring hinges from said inactive to substantially horizontal position, said tilting means acting primarily to tilt the vane on the brackets and then to tilt the vane and brackets together, spring arms projecting from the movable leaves of said springs, and springs each having one end connectible to one of the spring arms at a selected point thereof and having its other end connected to the vane arm and arranged to reinforce the action of said spring hinge.

1.1. In a windmill of the class described, a vane arm, spring hinges each having a leaf fixed to said arm, vane brackets each having one end fixed to the remaining leaf of a respective spring hinge, a vane pivoted to said brackets, means for securing the pivotal connections of the brackets in vertically ad j usted positions on the vane, said vane being movable between vertical active position and inclined inactive position, chains connecting the lower part of said vane and said arm to restrict upward movement of said lower part, and means to tilt the vane and brackets against the action of said spring'hinges from said inactive to substantially horizontal position.

12. In a windmill of the class described, a vane arm, spring hinges each having a leaf fixed to said arm, vane brackets each having one end fixed to the remaining leaf of a respective spring hinge, a vane pivoted to said brackets, means for securing the pivotal conncctions of the brackets in vertically adjusted positions on the vane and movable between *ertical active position and inclined inactive position, chains connecting the lower part of said vane and said arm to restrict upward movement of said lower part, and means to tilt the vane and brackets against the action of said spring hinges from said inactive to substantially horizontal position, said tilting means acting primarily to tilt the vane on the brackets and then to tilt the vane and brackets together.

13. In a windmill of the class described, a vane arm, spring hinges each having a leaf fined to said arm, vane brackets each having one end fixed to the remaining leaf of a respective spring hinge, a vane pivoted to said brackets, means for securing the pivotal connections of the brackets in vertically adjusted positions on the vane and movable between vertical active position and inclined inactive position, chains connecting the lower part of said vane and said arm to restrict upward movement of said lower part, said chains being arranged for adjustment of their effective length whereby to adjust the inclination of the vane in inactive position, and means to tilt the vane and brackets against the action of said spring hinges from said inactive to substantially horizontal position.

14. In a windmill of the class described, a vane arm, spring hinges each having a leaf fixed to said arm, vane brackets each having one end fixed to the remaining leaf of a respeetive spring hinge, a vane pivoted to said brackets, means for securing the pivotal connections of the brackets in vertically adjusted positions on the vane, said vane being movable between vertical active position and inclined inactive position, chains connecting the lower part of said vane and said arm to restrict upward movement of said lower part, said chains being arranged for adjustment of their effective length whereby to adjust the inclination of the vane in inactive position, and means to tilt the vane and brackets against the action of said spring hinges from said inactive to substantially horizontal position, said tilting means acting primarily to tilt the vane on the brackets and then to tilt the vane and brackets together.

15. In a windmill, a tower, vane arms ex tending radially from the tower, an anti-fric tionally supported center plate on said tower and carrying said vane arms, a circular trackway surrounding said tower below said arms, brackets carried by said vane arms and ex tending downwardly toward the trackway, wheels carried by said brackets and rolling on said trackway, a second circular trackway surrounding said tower below said arms, other brackets carried by the vane arms and extending downwardly toward the second trackway, whee-ls carried by the last mentioned brackets and rolling on the second trackway, said arms projecting beyond the second mentioned brackets, and vanes on the projecting ends of said arms.

16. In a windmill, a tower, a center plate anti-frictionally supported on top of said tower, vane arms radiating from said plate, a track surrounding said tower below said plate, brackets extending downwardly and outwardly from said plate, wheels carried by said brackets and rolling on said track, vanes on the outer ends of said vane arms, a second track surrounding the tower below the first track and having a diameter greater than the diameter of the first track, and brackets depending from said vane arms close to said vanes and provided with wheels rolling on said second track.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature LUKE S. STRIPLING. 

